Marines to provide holiday cheer, toys, for Slidell community

For the seventh consecutive year, the Northshore Harbor Center and the local U.S. Marine Reserves Toys for Tots program will come together to share in the spirit of giving.

The U.S.Marine Reserves annual Toys for Tots giveaway in Slidell will take place Dec. 19 at the Northshore Harbor Center.Grant Therkildsen / Staff archive

On Dec. 19 beginning at 4 p.m., children of east St. Tammany Parish can go to the Harbor Center and receive a toy. The doors will remain open until every child in line receives a gift.

Last year, the campaign helped more than 950 children from east St. Tammany who otherwise might not have received a gift for the holidays. Children also can select a family game or craft and a few stocking stuffers during the distribution.

The hard work put in by Northshore Harbor Center staff, the Marine Reserves and other volunteers helped event organizers distribute 3,300 toys last year. In an effort to top that number this year, donation boxes already are set up in various locations around the greater Slidell area. Donations range from small stocking stuffer items, to crafts and games, dolls, toy cars, basketballs, footballs, and even bikes and electronics.

“It’s important to remember that although many of the children that come through the line are under 12 years old, some are teenagers,” Lowrey said. “We need gifts that they would like, too – make-up, handheld games, watches, perfume, purses.”

Also, the Northshore Harbor Center will host the U.S. Marine Reserves Band's annual holiday concert on Dec. 14. The event is free and open to persons of all ages. Everyone is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the concert, and those gifts will be distributed at the toy giveaway. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.